Colombian cyclist Nairo Quintana hangs on to his second place, finishing in fifth place in Thrusday’s stage of La Vuelta a España.
Two Colombians remain in the top of La Vuelta with Nairo Quintana in second place, and Esteban Chaves in fifth place. Quintana finished just 15 seconds behind his Spanish team-mate and race leader on Thursday, and Chaves was behind by 41 seconds.
MORE: Colombia dominates top 10 in Vuelta a España cycling race
Spanish Alejandro Valverde, who is cycling for the same team as Quintana, Movistar team, won today’s sixth stage.
After the race Quintana told media that the most important thing is that the team wins, and indicated that he needs to step up his game, Colombian news site Noticias Caracol reported.
“I’m feeling good, but I’m still lacking a bit of speed. Valverde has worked hard and won today’s stage, I’m happy for him,” Quintana stated.
But to stay in top three Quintana has to keep up his pace, since La Vuelta has only just begun with fifteen more stages come. The last leg of the race will take place on September 14.
Nairo Quintana, Colombia’s Giro d’Italia hero, announced in June he will compete in the 2015 Tour de France, cycling’s most prestigious road race.
MORE: Colombia’s cycling star Quintana confirms 2015 Tour de France participation
Sources
- Vuelta a Espana: Chris Froome pipped to stage win by Valverd (BBC)
- Nairo Quintana permanece segundo en la general de la Vuelta a España (Noticias Caracol)
- La vuelta route (La Vuelta España)
